Collecting
elongated coins, or pressed elongated coins, has
become one of the hottest hobbies in the world today.
The first elongated coins were rolled at the Columbian
Exposition in 1893, and collecting elongated, or
smashed coins has been gaining popularity ever since.
ECs, as elongated coins are known, are an inexpensive
souvenir that people can pick up at many places
including; theme parks, zoos, museums, aquariums,
rest areas, gift shops, and more. Today, you can
roll pennies, nickels, quarters, and other international
coins around the globe.

About Elongated Coins(elongated/squished/flattened/rolled-out/pinched/pressed)

An
elongated coin is made by a coin, token, medal or metal
blank being forced between two steel rollers. An engraving
is on one or both of the rollers and as the coin passes
through the rollers it is squeezed or elongated under
tremendous pressure from the original round shape to
one of an oval and the engraved design impressed into
the coin at the same time.

It's Legal

U.S.
Title 18, Chapter 17, Section 331: Prohibits among other
things, fraudulent alteration and mutilation of coins.
This statue does not, however, prohibit the mutilation
of coins if done without fraudulent intent if the mutilated
coins are not used fraudulently.